Have I got a story for you....

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t.rooster

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It is Saturday today, February 1 and it's 10 a.m. I'm making the bed, while my wife is making muffins for breakfast when we hear a rapping on the front door. We are both not expecting anyone as I open the door and a total stranger stands before me with a wide grin on his face. He introduces himself, Brett Gladden, the brother of Dan Gladden, the splendid '80s utility player who spent most of his time with the Giants and Twins.
It is raining out, so I invite him in for a cup of coffee and, at this point, hot muffins right out of the oven. Nearly a year ago I TTMed Dan with no luck; however, my envelope did not go unnoticed as I will reveal to all of you my secret weapon on standing out.... my natural ability to draw.

D.Gladden.jpg

But, there was something else that stood out, my return address is in the same small town as Dan's brother, Brett. Over the kitchen table we begin stories of childhood growing up in the area, how things have changed and raising kids. My wife and I are school teachers and it turns out, both of Brett's sons were my wife's students for English in middle school. Brett spent many years as a little league baseball coach and when I asked about Tyler Gilbert, Brett coached him early on. My wife is golf partners with Pat Burrell's mother here and on and on it went....

Brett presented me with two hats of his brother's exclusive Twins HOF edition...

Gladdenhat.jpg
Gladdenhat2.jpg
...and this signed bobble head....
Gladdenbooble~jpg.jpg Gladdenbobble2.jpg

....I am not a bobble head collector, so if anyone is interested in this, please LMK. I was so tickled to start my morning off in such a way that I kept laughing about my luck. Thanks for looking and all the best to your collecting, ~Rooster.
 
Wow, incredible story. I'm your Gladden guy, and would love to take a shot at the bobblehead. From the photo, it looks to not be one of the SGA's as those had sponsorship from an airline so I definitely need it. See my writeup on my Gladden tab on my wantlist below to read my history........tks, Jim
 
It is Saturday today, February 1 and it's 10 a.m. I'm making the bed, while my wife is making muffins for breakfast when we hear a rapping on the front door. We are both not expecting anyone as I open the door and a total stranger stands before me with a wide grin on his face. He introduces himself, Brett Gladden, the brother of Dan Gladden, the splendid '80s utility player who spent most of his time with the Giants and Twins.
It is raining out, so I invite him in for a cup of coffee and, at this point, hot muffins right out of the oven. Nearly a year ago I TTMed Dan with no luck; however, my envelope did not go unnoticed as I will reveal to all of you my secret weapon on standing out.... my natural ability to draw.

View attachment 106445

But, there was something else that stood out, my return address is in the same small town as Dan's brother, Brett. Over the kitchen table we begin stories of childhood growing up in the area, how things have changed and raising kids. My wife and I are school teachers and it turns out, both of Brett's sons were my wife's students for English in middle school. Brett spent many years as a little league baseball coach and when I asked about Tyler Gilbert, Brett coached him early on. My wife is golf partners with Pat Burrell's mother here and on and on it went....

Brett presented me with two hats of his brother's exclusive Twins HOF edition...

View attachment 106446
View attachment 106447
...and this signed bobble head....
View attachment 106448 View attachment 106449

....I am not a bobble head collector, so if anyone is interested in this, please LMK. I was so tickled to start my morning off in such a way that I kept laughing about my luck. Thanks for looking and all the best to your collecting, ~Rooster.
Great story, congrats!
 
That's so cool. Growing up in Minnesota at the time of the Twins two WS championships (9th grade and right after graduation for 91) Gladden is one of those guys, that keyed both runs. A few years ago to celebrate the 35th anniversary of 87 Gladden shared some of the home videos he took on plane rides and at other parks that year. I think, it would be super cool to get someone to put together a documentary with some of that footage and release it for a 40th or 45th anniversary. (My soon to be son in law, is studying to be in film production) maybe you could put a bug in Brett's ear.😄😄

Awesome story, super cool drawing, and a great memory!
 
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